galaxyproject / galaxyproject/galaxy
Feature Request: Clippy
- Dominant language
- Python
- Stars
- 1.9k
- Forks
- 1.2k
- Avg merge
- 2d 16h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 169
Description
My users have bad Galaxy habits. This is a combination of
- lack of training
- generally not putting all of the effort needed into maintaining tidy workspaces
That's normal, and I can combat the lack of training, but I'm having more trouble fixing their digital behaviours. I came to the conclusion I needed to nag them regularly regarding best practices, because we all need a gentle reminder now and then (myself included) of where we can change our habits to make life easier later. Of _course_ I remembered clippy!

So, I'm suggesting implementing a Galaxy clippy (maybe with a _Galactic explorer_ (*groan*, I know) like an astronomer or spaceman in a little spacesuit) to help users find their way around Galaxy. They should suggest things like:
- Naming your histories
- Using workflows
- Telling users about search boxes if they scroll around histories a lot
This is sort of tangential to requests for introductory tours in that it's a more regular/gentler "hey, listen, you might want to consider X"
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start by reviewing the requested Clippy examples and the relationship to introductory tours described in the issue. Define the user behaviors, UI scope, and acceptance criteria with maintainers before locating implementation areas; done would require an agreed design and an implemented, testable experience.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Domain
- design, frontend
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Needs clarification
- Newbie friendliness
- 20/100